A Music-related blog containing information and commentary of my favorite music, as well as some choice downloads of quality, hard-to-find music (unofficial releases, ROIO's, concert bootlegs, etc.) available on the web.

Continuing with the Keith Emerson, ELP saga: While ELP was still on tour in 1977, they released their follow-up to Works, Vol. 1,Works, Vol. 2, a single album this time, and made-up primarily of miscellaneous and leftover tracks from previous recording sessions, and all short songs. Because of this, the album was not nearly as popular as its predecessor, but nonetheless still contained some very impressive tracks. In particular, Emerson's piano work, from his version of Scott Joplin Rag-time to the wonderful Meade Lux Lewis's 'Honky-Tonk Train Whistle Blues', as well as Keith's self-penned version of a honky-tonk piano song. Anyway, the band continued on their epic Works tour, through much of 1978 as well, then back to the studio for what was their final album of their original tenure. Unfortunately, the magic was gone by this time, and Love Beach (1978) is generally considered the nadir of their career; with the album tanking and their popularity plummeting, they pulled the plug on the group, each going their own way. Keith did a couple solo albums and music for movies throughout the eighties. He re-grouped with Greg Lake in another power trio with drummer Cozy Powell, dubbed Emerson, Lake and Powell in 1986, for what was the most successful, albeit short-lived (1 album), of the ELP imitation groups. This was followed closely by 3 (Three) in 1988, which featured Emerson and Palmer with multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry, but their only album was not well-received. Then in 1990, Keith joined a new group with a supertstar lineup, for the short-lived supergoup, The Best. Featuring Joe Walsh, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, John Entwhistle, and Simon Phillips, along with Emerson, the band was avery eclectic mix of superstars from diverse bands. Although they only played a few shows in Japan before splitting up, this band was a really intriguing oddity, a strange mix of styles and talent that produced some very memorable versions of each of their respective hit songs. As far as I know, this was the only time Keith ever played in a band where his keyboards were not the primary and dominant component, and playing here with 2 great guitarists and songs that are not really 'keyboard' songs, the results are very interesting. Now, I have already posted and featured this show from a Japanese broadcast before, but now I have upgraded the show to lossless, for all those wishing to have it in better quality. For more on the show, see the previous post here , but let me summarize with this excerpt ..."Although on some songs, like 'Life in the Fast Lane' and 'My Wife', it is a bit disconcerting to hear Emerson's constantly moving keyboards in the background, some of his additions are positively breathtaking, such as his skillful piano licks in 'Bodhisattva' and 'Reeling in the Years', or putting everything from the 'Jaws Theme' to classical pieces like 'Night on Bald Mountain' into 'Boris the Spider'. And it is very interesting and exciting to hear Skunk and Walsh combine guitar forces (and different styles) on several songs, like 'My Wife', 'Life in the Fast Lane', 'Too Late the Hero', 'Reeling in the Years', and especially 'Bodhisattva'..." , as well as their guitar additions to the Emerson 'keyboard' songs. So, if you haven't checked this out previously, be sure to do so now, as it is one of Emerson's most interesting and unique contributions, and of course, the band itself is awesome, if just a bit odd in their mixing of musical styles.

Tracklist
01. Seven Bridges Road / Life In the Fast Lane
02. My Wife
03. Bodhisattva
04. Fanfare For the Common Man
05. Rikki Don't Lose My Number
06. Simon drum solo
07. Rocky Mountain Way
08. Too Late the Hero
09. America / Look At Us Now
10. Boris the Spider
11. Reelin' In the Years
12. Takin' It To the Streets

Continuing with ELP: After their extensive 1973-1974 Brain Salad Surgery tour, the band took an extended break, lasting through all of 1975 and into 1976. The band re-grouped in 1976 to record Works Vol.1, another epic scale production, a double album, with one full side for each artist to feature 'solo' works, and the 4th side featuring full group compositions. Emerson's side consists of his 3 movement Piano Concerto performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The group piece 'Pirates' also featured an orchestra prominently. Because of this, Keith had the idea of touring with a full 65-piece orchestra for the forthcoming Works Live tour. It was a massive undertaking, and plagued with problems associated with the orchestra (union rules, requirements, travel restrictions, and of course, immense cost) from the start. The tour started in May 1977 in the US. After just 3 weeks and 13 concert dates into the tour (and mounting debts), the Orchestra had to be dropped from the shows, and the band re-grouped and continued the tour as a trio only, although they did again play with the Orchestra for a 3-night run at Madison Square Garden in NY in July, and later at a show in Montreal in August that was recorded and released as a Live album, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer In Concert. Overall, the band lost millions on the Orchestra tour venture, but it was a grand experiment and produced some stunning shows. Here is a recording from one of the MSG shows (second night), a very good audience recording that features the full Orchestral show. The show features an assortment of songs throughout the ELP catalog, and alternates between songs with and without Orchestra involvement. Overall a very impressive show, and a must for ELP fans.

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